Conformator



Ill Ill Sept.26, 1950 Filed Nov. 18, 1946 INVENTOR ATTORNEY R. V. BURK CONFORMATOR Sept. 26, 1950 Filed Nov. 1a, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a E. a

INVENTOR ATTORNEY (Swim v F/Ig. 6

Patented Sept. 26, I950 CONFORMATOR 7 Raymond v. Burk, Walnut Creek, Calif.

Application November 18, 1946, Serial No. 710,419

This invention relates to measuring devices, and more particularly to devices for the measurement of contours.

The principal object of my invention is the provision of a device adapted to measure the contour of a persons face, a vase or any other object coming within its scope.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a device wherein each individual measuring element will be supported independently of the others, andv therefore, adjustment of the individual elements can readily be effected.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of a device that is adjustable horizontally and vertically whereby it can be brought into position, and locked in said position ready er s a I 7 These andother objects of my invention "will become apparent during the course of the following description and appended claims, taken in connection with the accompanying drawingsv forming a part hereof In the drawings: ,7

Figure l is an elevation of an embodiment of my device, illustrating its application in recording the profile of a person. i V

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the supporting arm and bracket.

Figure 3 is an elevation of the device without the supporting arm and bracket.

2 Claims. (01. 33-175) Figure 4 is a section taken on line 44 of Fig Figure 5 is a section taken on line 55 of Figure 4. v

Figure 6 is a detail of the top cap of the device.

Figure 7 is an elevation showing the ends of the measuring element as viewed from line 1-1 of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings in detail, my device -8, is shown attached to an arm 9, which in turn is supported by a bracket Ill, secured to a wall from the-end of arm 9, and is normally free to slide in the holes through elements H and I2.

The bar 14, is secured to the arm 9, by a reduced portion [-5, being tightly fitted into a drilled 1 hole in the boss 16, of the arm 9, and locked against further movement by a pin H.

The arm '9, fashioned as shown to clear the top of a persons head as indicated in phantom Projection I2, is equipped with a' bar M, of square section, which extends upwardly ,way through the device 8.

. 2 and designated by the rectangular cross-section I 8, through which is cut a relatively long rectangular slot l9.

-'The device 8, is slidably mounted in the slot 19, by means of a key 20, on the top cap 21, of

the device. The top cap -2I,-is fitted with a stud 22, a washer 23, and a wing nut 24, by means of which the device can be locked in any position in the'slot l9. i I

7 It will be apparent from the foregoing that the device can readily be brought to any position-within the scope of the verticaland horizontal adjustments.

The device 8, consists of measuring elements 25, supporting bars 26 and 21, top cap 2|, bottom cap"28, clampingbars 2 9, and side frames 30.

Themeasuring elements 25, are all identical with one another, but have half their number lying one way, and the other half the other wayto form right hand and left hand units. Theyare composed of flat metallic strips, preferably:

of a non-corrosive nature, and are parallel, relative to their width, for the greater portion of their length. At one end, they are formed with lateral extensions forming a T shaped end as at' 3|. The T shaped end 3| facilitates the handlingof the individual element, and also forms a stop a all thewhich prevents the element being pushed The other ends of the elements 25, terminate in an offset reduced portion 32, so located, that when the elements are in position as shown on Figure 5, the ends 32 of the entire set will be in perfect vertical alignment as shown on Figure 7.

Allsharp edges are removed from the elements 25, especially at the extreme ends 32, so as not to constitute a hazard.

The supporting members 26 and 21, consist of square bars stepped at each end to accommodate'the downwardly projecting ears 33, of the top cap 2!, and a pair of similar upstanding ears on the bottom cap 28. The members 26 and 21 are mounted inpairs, each pair, being spaced apart and being parallel and coplanar.

' Each pair consists of a member 26 and 21, each having one face in alignment and contiguous with a face of the other member. The contiguous faces are slotted to form a series of relatively long teeth 34, equally spaced, and the slots 35, are adapted to permit the entrance of the elements 25, in slidable relation, without any perceptible looseness. The members 26 and 21, are identical with the exception that the teeth in one member are in alignment with the slots in the letter P, is formed at its outer end with a flat horizontal extension of other member, this arrangement resulting in the continuous alignment of the ends 32, of elements 25, as partly shown on Figure 7.

The pitch of the slots 35, is such as to maintain a minimum clearance between the aligned ends 32.

The entire device is assembled by placing the elements 25, in stacked relation in the members 25 and 21, inserting the top and bottom caps 21 and 28, respectively, in position, placing the clamping bars 29, between each pair of supporting members 26 and 27, as shown, and securing all the parts together by the side frames 30 and screws 36.

The clamping bars 29, are faced on their inner sides with a layer 37, of resilient material, such as rubber or leather so that when they are forced against the edges of the elements 25, by the thumb-screws 38, in the frames 30, each row of elements 25, will be clamped against the ends of the abutting teeth 34. The elements 25, will thus be locked: against further movement until released. v

The bars 29; are prevented from lateral displacement by the adjacent sides of the members 26 ;and 27, and are held in place endwise by the top and bottom caps 2| and 28, respectively.

The side frames 30; are parallel members of T section having internally threaded bosses 39, adapted to engage the thumb-screws 38. are formed at each end-with pair of oppositely extending-lateral lugs 40, having holes to match the holes in the members 26, and 21, and in the top and bottom caps 2| and;28, respectively.

One. oi -the frames .30; is provided With co-untersunk; holes in the lugs-49, while thev other one" has tapped holes, both forthe reception of. screws 36.;

The disclosed: embodiment of my invention illustrates the device as; it -wouldbe used in the dental profession, to record the profile of a patient priorto extraction. As shown in Figure 1, the patient: assumes aposition, ,with back to; the wall, directly beneath the supporting arm. v The neces sary horizontal and verticaladjustments:are made to bring; the device into position. The thumbscrews 38, are then slackened back just sufficiently .topermit movement of the contour measuring elements, which are individuallymoved forward to lightly contact the features of the patient.

Withthe necessary number of elements in register, the clamping screws are tightened and the device removed; by unscrewing the wing nut 24.

The outline ofthe profile can then be traced on paper, thus providing a positive record for comparison after dentures are f tted.

They

Although I have described but one use for my device, it will be understood that its field of usefulness is not limited thereto, nor are the details of construction limited to the disclosure, as modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A contour recording device comprising a plurality of supporting bars arranged in pairs and having a plurality of parallel slots therein, the slots of each pair being arranged in facing staggered relation, a plurality of measuring elements being slidably arranged in said slots, each element having on one end thereof an offset por- 7 tion, said offset portions normally forming a continuous line; side frames holding said supporting bars in pairs, clamping bars arranged between said supporting bars for locking said measuring elements in desired positions, and means for vertical and horizontal adjustment of said device.

2. A contour recording device. comprisin two pairs of supporting bars arranged in spaced relation, the bars of each pair being aligned and contiguous and having a plurality of parallel slots: arranged in staggered relation, a plurality of measuring elements slidable in said slots, eachcomprising a flat strip having on its end an off- 7 set portion, said offset portions normally forming a continuous line, a pair of clamping bars ar ranged between said supporting bars to lock said measuring elements in desired positions; nd side frames to hold said supporting bars and clamping, bars together.

' RAYMOND V. BURK.,-

' REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the" file of this patent: I I I j ,UNITED STATES PATENTS 

